Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread

There is a concept in Denmark that has gained popularity in the U.S. over the last few years.

Hygee is a term often used in Denmark to describe coziness, warmth, comfortable,. . . basically all the feels of being wrapped up in a big blanket that just went for a whirl in the dryer. The word Hygee translates to happy in English. The Danish way of life is a happy and warm one.

In Sweden, they use a different word. Lagom. It means just the right amount. In English, Lagom translates to moderation. The Swedes place a very high importance on work life balance. They value their jobs and the ability to work and provide, but also recognize their need and importance of spending time with family or being on holiday. I interviewed several Swedes about this for a paper I wrote on Lagom while I was studying in Sweden and Denmark. Lagom is a pretty neat concept and we can incorporate it into many aspects of our lives, including diet.

While Ryan and I love enjoying and fueling our bodies with fresh and nutritious foods, Lagom is definitely a word you could use to describe our diet. We have just the right amount of fruits, veggies, grains, fats, proteins, sweets, etc. for us. Enough to fuel us, keep us healthy, and keep us happy.

(Did you know the word diet means the foods a person habitually or regularly eats. It does not mean that one is trying to lose or gain weight. Everyone has a diet! America's obsession with weight loss and "diet culture" has ruined this word!)

Everyone has a little different "just right" amount depending of age, gender, body type, activity level, geography, taste and food preferences, etc.

This Banana bread, which a similar slice can be purchased in The National Gallery of Denmark, can be described perfectly with two words.

Hygee & Lagom.

A slice of this bread contains warm and cozy spices with nuts and chocolate enveloped in a comforting and happy chocolate bread. It is the perfect balance of sweet, nutty, and fulfilling.

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CHOCOLATE WALNUT BANANA BREAD

Makes 1 loaf or 3 mini loaves

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour

• 1/3 cup Cocoa Powder

• 1 tsp Cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg

• 1 tsp Baking Soda

• Pinch of Salt

• 3 ripe Bananas

• 1/3 cup Butter, melted or Vegetable Oil (I like to do half of each)

• 1 Egg

• 1/4 cup White Sugar

• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar

• 1/2 cup chopped Walnuts (you can use pecans or omit)

• 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a bread pan, or 3 mini loaf pans.

2. Mix flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in bowl until combined.

3. In a mixing bowl, mash bananas until there are no big lumps.

4. Add the melted butter, eggs and sugar. Mix well.

5. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated.

6. Gently mix in chopped walnuts and chocolate chips to combine. Do not over-mix.

7. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.

8. Bake for 50-60 minutes (25-30 for mini loaves), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Remove from the oven and let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes.

10. Remove bread from pan and let it cool completely on a cooling rack.